ZB Library

COVID-19

Coronavirus and Your Library (Updated March, 2022)

(March, 2022)
Library Hours
Mon – Thu: 9am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
Sun: 1pm – 5pm

Curbside Pickup Hours
Mon – Thu & Sat
10am-4pm

(March 2022)

Masks are recommended and can help protect you and others from COVID-19.

The CDC recently released guidance recommending that individuals wear a mask in public indoor settings.

(August 2021)

Due to the recent ruling of the CDC, the Library is going to requiring all patrons and staff to be wearing masks indoors. Mask are highly recommended as well for outdoor programming when social distancing is not possible. Masks should be worn over your nose and mouth.

(January, 2021)

We’ve started a new Drive Thru process for improved convenience for our patrons. Pick-up is now at the back of the library right beside the Book Drop. Just follow the signs to the back! Entrance is along Gabriel Ave.

(Saturday Nov 14, 2020)

There has been a recent resurgence of COVID cases in the region. The health and safety of the public is our top priority.

Due to these recent developments, we are going to curbside only service starting Monday November 16, 2020. Rest assured, we will continue to serve our community as best we can under these circumstances.

Our staff is committed to evolving our services in order to provide our patrons with new and exciting programs that keep them informed, entertained, and safe.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
We will get through this together!

 

Curbside Pickup Service is now available. Click here to get more information.

However, the Zion-Benton Public Library District’s communities and surrounding locations in Lake County continue to see a growing number of Covid-19 cases. The safety of our communities, patrons and staff are of utmost importance to us. Therefore, to help reduce the spread of Covid- 19, the Zion-Benton Public Library will remain closed. Please go online to find ebooks, eaudiobooks, other electronic resources, chat reference, and a calendar of virtual programs. The Library will continue to monitor the situation and will look to reopen as soon as we can do so safely. Please watch our website and social media accounts for updates.

Lake County AllVax Portal
Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine
Registration is now open for the COVID-19 vaccine in Lake County.
Click here to register.

Waukegan Testing Site Reopens at New Location
The COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in Waukegan has reopened at a new location, 102 W. Water Street, Waukegan, and will be open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The site at Northwestern Ave is now closed and the State will be resuming emissions testing at that location.
For more information on the Waukegan COVID-19 testing site, please visit www.lakecountyil.gov/4435.

(May 17th, 2020)

In response to the extended stay at home order, Zion-Benton Library is evaluating which services it can safely and effectively provide. There are many factors to consider before we can open our collections again, and the top priority is the safety of our staff and patrons. Implementing curbside service for library materials is more complex than one would think. Unlike the many retail establishments that already had a carry-out business model, ZB did not. We are starting from scratch and unlike restaurants we need to accept returned materials which is significantly more complicated. We are looking for guidance from the experts at the American Library Association, Centers for Disease Control and other local organizations, as well as direction from Governor Pritzker and State and Federal health officials.

We do know from the Lake County Health Department that the Zion/Waukegan area continues to see rising rates of Covid infections. (Please see the Lake County Health Department’s Data Hub for more information https://covid19response-lakecountyil.hub.arcgis.com/ ) As soon as we can confidently manage and mitigate the risks of circulating materials and determine it is safe to do so, we will let you and all our patrons know. We realize this is a difficult time. As Librarians we really do want to provide traditional service to our patrons, but we want to do it in a safe and responsible manner for both our staff and patrons. In the meantime, through our website ( https://zblibrary.info/ ) you can learn a language, research your family tree or access electronic books, movies and music. If you have questions or need help with accessing any of these services, please click the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of your screen.


Zion-Benton Public Library will close temporarily, starting Saturday, March 14. This decision follows our ongoing conversations with local officials and the announcement that all local public schools closed through End of May.

We hope to reopen in June. We will continue to monitor the situation and reassess as more information becomes available.

Closing the library is an extraordinarily difficult decision that we have made only because of these extraordinary circumstances. The health and safety of our patrons and staff is our first priority. Early actions to increase social distancing are the best way to contain the spread of COVID-19, according to the CDC. We feel that closing the library is the best way to protect the health of our community at this time. While we are closed, we will carry out extra cleaning and disinfecting of the building.

Returning Materials

Due dates have been extended to July 1. Please bring back materials when the Library re-opens. We are a FINE FREE library, so don’t worry about due dates and overdue fines.  Please DO NOT leave Library material outside of the building.

Programs and Meetings Canceled

All Library programs are canceled thru July 31, 2020. Additionally, all meeting room and study room reservations made by outside groups are cancelled. Current info will be reflected here and on our program calendar.

eBooks and other Digital Materials

You can also continue to use the library without visiting by downloading eBooks; listening to downloadable and streaming audiobooks; and magazines; taking online language classes; receive tutoring; and much more. Browse our website for information about checking out materials https://zblibrary.info/downloadables/ and https://zblibrary.info/research/.

These are just some of the services you can avail of using your library card! And if you don’t have one, you can get a temporary one here.

Important Phone Numbers

Updates

If you are interested in Library-related news, please sign up for our eNewsletter.

We will continue to make announcements on this page as needed.

Thank you for your understanding and remember, wash your hands.

Stay connected with us on Social Media

Faceboook | Twitter

Further Information and Reputable Sources:

The new coronavirus is turning our world upside down. Socially isolated, we turn to news sources many times a day, and sometimes many times during sleepless nights as well. How can we know what is reliable and accurate information? How can we protect ourselves and our loved ones while not falling prey to misinformation and scams?

Below is a list of reliable sources of information suggested by library staff.
How to Protect Yourself Against COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO):

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO Advice For Public and Myth-busters

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Illinois Department of Public Health

FAQ Illinois Department of Public Health

Lake County : Offers the option to sign up for daily email updates.

Stimulus Check Q&A

COVID-19 Map

Consumer Reports – the trusted organization for consumer information – offers practical tips for dealing with coronavirus.

Before believing all Corona-related posts and websites, check out the Public Library Association’s 15-minute tutorial through DigitalLearn.org It offers tips to evaluate online health and medical information. 

Social Media to Follow:

IDPH Twitter

IDPH Facebook

CDC Twitter

CDC Facebook

WHO Twitter

WHO Facebook

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